Fayette amends dog ordinance

Fayette County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted recently to update its ordinance regarding dogs deemed dangerous. Under new provisions modeled after the state’s Responsible Dog Ownership Law, the county’s director of animal control will be authorized to investigate whether individual dogs should be designated as “vicious” for causing serious injury to people or other animals.

Evidence would be heard by a probate court judge, and dogs classified as “dangerous” would be subject to strict supervision and confinement. Violations would incur fines up to $1,000. The changes apply only to the unincorporated county, but County Manager Steve Rapson said Fayette’s municipalities will be encouraged to adopt similar provisions.